Penns Grove councilwoman is denied tax rebate

PENNS GROVE — A resolution to refund taxes to Councilwoman Tami King for her 100-percent disabled veteran status was turned down here at this past week’s borough council meeting because no one would second the motion.

King’s entitlements call for a refund to cover the taxes paid from Feb. 1, 2002, to Dec. 31, 2005. The total amount for the refund was an estimated $18,000.

Penns Grove Councilwoman Tami King has been denied a tax rebate.“For those of you who don’t know, I was in the military for 25 years and I served in Desert Storm,” said King. “I was in Saudi Arabia for approximately three months until I was medevaced back.”

King wanted her condition to remain a private issue, but did not hide the refund proposal. Her name was read along with the resolution.

“They called me an anomaly. It was a one in a million chance (that) what happened to me would happen to anybody else in a lifetime,” said King.

“When the military discharged me in 2001 they gave me a disability rate of 30 percent,” she said. “Then I had to go back and prove I was a 100 percent.”

Because of King’s anomaly, the military was unaware of the specifics related to her disability. King said it took three years for them to label her a 100-percent disability veteran.

“I went back and forth to Bethesda, Johns Hopkins, and Rutgers University to be looked at and researched and doctors checking me out,” said King. “It was determined yes I was 100-percent disabled and I would never be able to be cured from it nor is there any treatment for the pain.”

The decision to refund King was up to the council. She abstained from any decision making.

“I did take a look at this and the statute does authorize the tax payment refunds,” said solicitor Adam Telsey. “But it is under the discretion of the council.”

All council members were given time to comment.

“Miss King served her country. She did everything she was supposed to do and we can only thank her for her service under the United States flag,” said Councilman Cliff Poindexter. “This is not the first time we have given tax money back.”

A mention of a payment plan was even discussed.

“I think it is hard to say no to this resolution,” said Poindexter.

Councilman Joseph Venello was against the refund due to the economic situation of the borough. He did not want to add this burden to the taxpayers.

“Under normal circumstances I may agree but we are looking at laying people off and making so many cuts in the budget,” said Venello. “I just don’t think it’s the right time for this.”

King said Venello gets $23,000 a year for medical insurance for himself and his wife for life. She questioned him as to why his entitlements as a police officer are any different than her’s as a disabled veteran.

“These are entitlements to Mr. Venello as a veteran of the police department,” said King. “Why doesn’t he pay his own insurance and save the borough $23,000 a year?”

Venello requested his benefits not be picked apart.

The resolution for King’s refund was presented by Mayor John Washington. Poindexter made a motion but due to the lack of a second, the resolution was rejected.

“The resolution dies due to the lack of a second,” said Washington. “Now I entertain a motion to deny the request.”

A motion was made by Venello and seconded by Councilman Mark Oliver.

Poindexter opposed and was so upset by the decision that he left in the middle of the meeting.

“I was perturbed and I just couldn’t stomach it anymore,” he said. “I could have handled it if there was more discussion, but it’s like the decision was already made. It’s really puzzling to me how we treat a veteran like that.”

Washington saw no direct relationship between budgetary issues and giving someone their entitlements.

“I don’t see what the budget has to do with anything when there is an entitlement due,” said Washington. “I don’t think it’s right.”

Venello said he was in agreement with the decision in 2005 when it was first established, but doesn’t think the funds should be retroactive at this time.